Sourcing straw sandals from China
Sandals with straw uppers and straw outer soles carry 4% UK duty from China, with no rate variation within this all-straw selection. Confirm footwear composition-labelling requirements with the relevant authority, including how to describe the upper, lining and sock, and outer-sole materials. Confirm that the ground-contact sole is straw. Cambridge China Bridge sources straw sandals.
UK duty on all-straw sandals
Heading 6405 covers other footwear. For sandals with straw uppers and straw outer soles, the relevant supplied line is 6405 90 90 00. Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 11 October 2026, it carried 4% duty for goods from China, with no listed anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension. The other table rows are material comparisons outside this all-straw specification. See the wider slippers and other footwear guide.
The all-straw line attaches a seal-product import control. Seal products for sale in Great Britain must qualify under the Inuit and other indigenous communities’ exemption; confirm the required documentation with your customs broker. Ask your customs broker to confirm how the attached control is declared for an entirely straw product. The comparison lines also attach cat-and-dog-fur or CITES controls: ask your broker to confirm any prohibitions or permit requirements for the actual materials moving between China and Great Britain.
Send your broker photographs, the plant material, construction details and a sole cross-section to confirm the commodity code. HMRC defines the outer sole as the part touching the ground in use, apart from a separate heel. A straw footbed above a rubber outsole does not establish an all-straw sole. Recheck classification if the factory substitutes textile straps or adds another sole material.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straw uppers and straw outer soles | 6405 90 90 00 | 4% | None |
| Comparison: other uppers with rubber, plastic or leather outer soles | 6405 90 10 00 | 16% | None |
| Comparison: textile uppers, other-material soles, indoor footwear | 6405 20 91 00 | 4% | None |
| Comparison: textile uppers, other-material soles, other footwear | 6405 20 99 00 | 4% | None |
Specify the straw, weave and strap attachment
Name the plant material rather than accepting a description such as natural fibre. Specify straw for both the upper and ground-contact sole, weave pattern, sole thickness, edge binding and strap anchoring. Ask the factory to disclose backing, thread, adhesives and coatings. Approve a cut sample so hidden layers can be compared with production.
Agree insole length, width, toe clearance and strap position across the size range. Specify intended use and agree checks for grip, flexing, abrasion and strap pull-out. Importers are responsible for consumer-product safety. Confirm footwear composition-labelling requirements with the relevant authority, including which materials to identify, whether to use words or pictograms, and where to place the label on each pair.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative mixed-size order of sandals with straw uppers and straw soles; values are illustrative, not a quotation under 6405 90 90 00, invoiced at £3,000 free on board, with £135 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £3,135. Duty at 4% is £125.40. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £3,260.40, so it is £652.08. Import taxes total £777.48; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £125.40 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Materials and weave: compare upper and outsole with the approved sample; check hidden layers, loose plaits, projecting straw ends, gaps and uneven sole thickness.
Fit and straps: measure length and width across the size range, check matching pairs, and pull and flex strap anchors using the agreed inspection method.
Wear and grip: flex the forefoot, inspect unravelled edges and broken fibres, and assess grip on the surfaces specified for the intended use.
Labels and packing: match composition labels to the actual materials; check size allocation, dry cartons, musty odours, mould and crushed soles during quality inspection.
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What goes wrong
Loose weaving can let the sole spread or straps pull free. Cut straw ends can rub the foot, while uneven plaiting leaves pressure points beneath the heel. Damp packing can produce mould and odour. Compare production pairs with the approved sample after flexing and handling, rather than judging appearance alone.
A supplier may describe a sandal as straw because the visible footbed is woven, although the ground-contact sole is rubber or the straps are textile. That can leave the customs description and composition label inconsistent with the goods. Record every layer and require approval before material substitutions.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For own-brand ranges, see sourcing for brands.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on straw sandals from China?
Sandals with straw uppers and straw outer soles fall within the supplied line 6405 90 90 00 at 4%. The supplied record lists no anti-dumping or countervailing duty or suspension.
Are straw-footbed sandals with rubber soles covered?
This guide covers straw uppers and straw outer soles only. A straw footbed above rubber is a different construction. Send a sole cross-section and material list to your broker for classification.
What labels do straw sandals need?
Confirm footwear composition-labelling requirements with the relevant authority, including how to identify the upper, lining and sock, and outer-sole materials, whether to use words or pictograms, and where to label each pair. Match the label to the actual construction.
What should I check before accepting straw sandals?
Check fit, strap anchoring, projecting straw ends, weave consistency, sole flexing and grip. Open cartons to check for dampness, mould and odour, and compare hidden layers with the approved sample.